Summer Watch: SWFL Big Men, First Five

Summer is in full swing and tournaments are being held each and every weekend, from independent programs to circuit teams, games and opportunities are at a high this time of year. Let's take a closer look at some of the big men from SWFL who will be lacing them up this summer in hopes of improving their game and seeing their stock rise.    The long and super athletic big man from Lehigh, Thurman, has unlimited potential and a ton of upside. The 6'8" center has tremendous leaping ability and is an excellent shot blocker. He has the ability to alter shots both inside and out, and is a presence in the middle, deterring teams from entering the paint. Offensively, he has great athleticism where thrives in the transition game, and loves to play above the rim with some highlight reel dunks. Thurman is more than just a dunker though, he has a soft touch from the outside and shoots it very well from behind the arc.     One of, if not the top prospect in the area, Bass-Bonner, made quite a splash in his first season here in SWFL. He is a high-level prospect with major upside, and already has amassed some D1 offers. Bass-Bonner can do a little bit of everything, and effects the game in a number of ways both offensively and defensively. He is a true 3-level scorer, where he likes to attack the basket and finish above the rim, but also has a great outside shot, where he shoots both the mid-range game and 3-ball at a very high rate.     Graham has tremendous size and length and seems to improve each and every time he steps on the court. He is an excellent rebounder on both ends of the court, and has learned to position himself well on the floor. He is a shot blocking machine with his long frame and wingspan, and makes it very difficult for opposing teams to attack the paint. He's shown improvement in his post play and also has a nice touch from the mid-range for a guy his size. Graham is a prospect to monitor as he continues to mature and develop his game.     A strong, physical big, Lopez, uses his strength to his advantage. The 6'6" center knows how to use his body and positions himself well on the floor, where he rebounds the ball extremely well on both ends of the court. He has become a very effective player in the post, and has the ability to finish through contact with either hand. Lopez also shows sound athleticism, allowing him to guard multiple positions on defense, and plays with a chip on his shoulder where he never backs down from an assignment.     Cernuska plays the game with great energy, and is a team first guy who just wants to win. The PF from Oasis is a tremendous rebounder, and excels in the transition game where he can get out and run. He is an athletic prospect who can guard multiple positions on defense, and is also a presence in the paint with his shot blocking ability. Cernuska has a strong frame, where he is effective in the paint and can finish through contact, and also passes the ball very well from the post position.

Summer is in full swing and tournaments are being held each and every weekend, from independent programs to circuit teams, games and opportunities are at a high this time of year. Let's take a closer look at some of the big men from SWFL who will be lacing them up this summer in hopes of improving their game and seeing their stock rise.